Service-charge calculation system



Jan. 16, 1962 J. GOLDBERG ETAL 3,017,103

SERVICE-CHARGE CALCULATION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 24, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 4Jan. 16, 1962 J. GOLDBERG ET AL 3,017,103

SERVICE-CHARGE CALCULATION SYSTEM Filed Nov. 24, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 55V0 m y; aeo m7. @574 SWO 892 FJVQ 894 c// ?e 9 INVENTORS BY 51/0 o we:I W 4. ae 0% A76? prroen/afs United States Patent 3,017,103SERVICEQHARGE CALCULATION SYSTEM Jacob Goldberg and Bonnar Cox, PaloAlto, Calif, as-

signor to Generai Electric Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of NewYork Filed Nov. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 775,835 12 Ciaims. (Ci. 235176) Thisinvention relates to electronic information-handling machines and, moreparticularly, to an improved calculating system for use ininformation-handling machines employed in accounting transactions.

This application is a continuation in part of application filed June 3,1957, Serial No. 663,046, now abandoned by Jacob Goldberg and BonnarCox, for Service-Charge Calculation System.

One of the operations which is performed in the banking business is onetermed service-charge calculation. The service-charge calculationconsists of a charge periodically made against commercial checkingaccounts which have maintained a balance less than a predeterminedminimum during the service-charge period. For those accounts, the chargeis based upon the minimum balance reached during the period in question,the number of checks used, and a predetermined constant value.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system forautomatically performing a service-charge calculation.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a noveland unique arrangement for obtaining automatically a service-chargecalculation.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision ofapparatus for automatically calculating a service charge which can beintegrated with other data-handling machines for accounting processes.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved in a systemwherein for each different account there is stored on an elongatedstorage medium a list of the items for which service charges are to becalculated. Also periodically stored in the elongated storage medium isthe current balance of each of these accounts. Means are provided forscanning through the record of the data stored for each account,detecting whether or not a balance falls below a predetermined minimum,as well as counting up the number of items for which a service charge isto be made. Subsequent to this, a look-up operation in a service-chargetable is performed, and with the data derived thereby the service chargeis thereafter calculated.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well asadditional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood fromthe following description when read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a typical commercial checking account service-charge chart;

FIGURE 2 shows the preferred layout for the storage of data on magnetictape;

FIGURE 3 shows an arrangement for recording servicecharge tableinformation on a magnetic drum;

FIGURE 4 is a block diagram illustrating the type of counter employed inthis invention;

FIGURE 5 is a block diagram of a drum-digit-timing counter required inthe invention;

FIGURE 6 is a block diagram of a tape bit and digit counter required inthe invention;

FIGURES 7 and 8 are block diagrams of an embodiment of the inventionwherein FIGURE 7 shows the apparatus in the data-flow paths and FIGURE 8shows the apparatus for generating control signals;

FIGURE 9 is a block diagram illustrating the type of symbol senseremployed in the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a detailed block diagram $1000 senser employed in theinvention; and

FIGURE 11 is a detailed block diagram of a Zero or minus senser employedin the embodiment of the invention.

In the explanation of the invention that follows there is described anaccounting procedure in banks in which a service-charge calculation forchecks used is made, based upon charges shown in a chart. A specificchart is shown merely by Way of illustration and to simplify theexplanation of the invention. This is not to be held to be a limitationupon the invention, since the principles to be described may be usedwith other charts and for other applications.

FIGURE 1 shows a typical commercial checking account service-chargechart. At the top of the chart there is listed the minimum-balancegroup, and in a column for each minimum-balance group is shown thecharge to be made for the number of checks used within such group. Theearning value for such minimum balance is shown at the bottom of thechart in the associated columns. The charges shown in the chart are madeup as follows:

' There is a basic charge of seven cents for each check which is used.To this basic seven-cent charge is added an additional SO-cents charge.From this total, there is subtracted the earning value of the minimumbalance. It is the usual practice to post the service charge each monthand to look at the minimum balance which was reached during such periodfor the purpose of determining what the service charge should be. Itshould also be noted that for each minimum-balance class, if less than aspecified number of checks has been written, there is no service chargewhatsoever.

It is the usual banking practice to identify each de positor of the bankby an account number. For the purpose of this invention, it is requiredthat a continual record he kept for each depositor, which consists ofthe daily activity for that depositors account, followed by a balancefigure at the end of the day. This is in accordance with the usualbanking practice also. Such information can be transferred in any numberof well-known means to a storage medium, such as paper tape, magnetictape, magnetic drum, or magnetic cores. In the embodiment of theinvention to be described, it is preferred that the data for eachaccount be stored on magnetic tape. This is not to be construed as alimitation, but merely exemplarv.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, there may be seen a typical desiredarrangement for recording the activity for an account on magnetic tape.Of course, it is understood that data recorded on magnetic tape is notvisible; however, in order to assist in an understanding of thisinvention, the items stored on the magnetic tape are written out for thepurposes of explanation. An account commences with an alpha symbol,which is followed by the numerals of the account number here representedas ozAN. There are twelve number digits provided for each accountnumber. This is followed, where required, by the name and address of theaccount. The beginning of the activity-recording region is signified bya beta symbol. Each activity region will first have the amount orbalance with which the account starts the recording period. Thus, a betasymbol is followed by a delta symbol, indicative of the fact that thenumbers that follow immediately thereafter will represent a currentbalance. A delta is followed by a or symbol, indicative of whether thecurrent balance is positive or negative (overdrawn account). Thereafter,the activity for a day or any other suitable period is recorded, at thetermination of which another current balance is recorded. Thus, for theparticular day represented in FIGURE 2, the activity for this accountconsisted of three debit items (which may have been checks which werecashed) and two credit items. For recording a debit item, first a minussign is recorded. This is followed by an S symbol. The S symbolindicates that the debit item is one for which a charge should be made.This is then followed by numbers representing the amount of the debit.

The two S debit items are followed by an S debit, which is a type ofdebit item for which no charge should be made. This type of debit itemmay be, for example, a result of an authorization to the bank to deductfrom the account an amount to be converted to savings bonds. The S debititem is followed by a +8 symbol, followed by a credit amount. The +8symbol indicates a credit entered by the bank to offset an improperdebit; thus the count of debits for service charge must be reduced byone. The S credit item is followed by a +S credit item. This isindicative of the fact that no charge should be made for whatever itemfollows the +5 symbol.

The recording for the days transactions are then completed by a currentbalance, which for the type of situation shown is negative, indicatingthat more money has been withdrawn than was on deposit. The record ofthe activities for the next day is made thereafter, consisting of thetransactions occurring during that day, followed by the current balanceat the end of that day. The last of the recorded current balances isfollowed by a pulse, which is recorded in a track adjacent to the tracksin which the item activity is recorded. This pulse may be termed anend-account mark. Each time an activity entry is made, this pulse ismoved further along the track, to mark the new position at which theaccount recording ends. A suitable system for recording and moving thesepulses and using them for the purpose of verification of data which hasbeen written is shown, described, and claimed in an application by theseinventors for a Magnetic Tape Writing System, Serial No. 624,308, filedNovember 26, 1956, and assigned to a common assignee.

As briefly described previously, the arrangement for calculating theservice charge to be made is to scan through all the activity data foran account to obtain the minimum balance for that account for therecorded period. In this search, a negative balance is interpreted as azero balance. Simultaneously with such scanning, the number of debititems for which a charge is to be made is obtained, consisting of theitems for which charges are to be made diminished by the items in theclass for which a credit is given. Next the minimum balance which hasbeen selected is inspected to see if it is less than a thousand dollars.If it is equal to or greater than a thousand dollars, no service chargeis computed and the apparatus proceeds to inspect the next account.

If the minimum current balance which has been selected is less than athousand dollars, then the fifth digit of this minimum current balance,which is the one in the hundreds position, counting from theleast-significant position of the digits (cents), is employed to assistin obtaining information from a table for use in the servicechargecalculation. The service-charge table is stored in another medium, whichuses the information provided by the fifth digit in the current-balanceamount selected to locate the required data in this auxiliary memory.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 3, which shows one arrangement for thelayout of the service-charge table on a rotating or cyclic memory, whichis a magnetic drum. One of these tracks 300 has clock pulses recordedthereon. A second track 301 has one pulse recorded for every five clockpulses. These are termed drum-digit-sync pulses and are respectivelydesignated between 1a and 17d to define the extent of space allocatedfor recording two numbers. A third track 303 has one pulse recordedtherein for every 17 drum-digitsync pulses. These pulses are designatedas drum-wordsync pulses and are recorded at the end of the spaceallocated for two numbers and before the space for the succeeding twonumbers. The two numbers are respectively designated as an A item and aB item. A different A item and a different B item are required for eachhundreds-of-dollars index. It should be noted that only ten entries ofthe A and B type are required to specify an entire service-charge table.Thus, there are ten storage spaces with drum-word-sync pulses and tendifferent sets of drum-digit-sync pulses designated by 1d through 17d.Opposite each first storage location, designated by the pulse 10., thereis stored on a track 302 a number from zero to nine (represented by fivebinary bits) representing the hundreds-of-dollars value in a minimumcurrent balance. In the locations which are designated by the 6d through10d pulses, there is stored a dollars-and-cents value which isdesignated as the A item. The lid storage space is blank, but the spacebetween 12d and 16d has stored therein a second dollars-and-cents value,which is identified as the B item. The 17d storage space is empty. Thus,for each one of the ten entries in the table there is stored thehundreds of dollars co-ordinate, followed by an A item, and thenfollowed by a B item.

In the operation of this system, after a fifth-significant digit of theminimum current balance has been selected, this is compared with thehundreds of dollars co-ordinates on the drum. Upon coincidence beingobtained, an A item is read out from the drum, and this is subtractedfrom a computed value consisting of the product of the number of itemsfor which there is to be a charge times seven cents. If a positivebalance results, then to this positive balance there is added the valueof the B item, which is read thereafter. The sum is the service charge.If after the A item subtraction there is no remainder or it is negative,then it is indicative of the fact that no service charge is to be madefor this particular account. The apparatus is then instructed to proceedto the next account.

The manner of calculating the A value in designing the table isdetermined for each hundreds-of-dollars coordinate by considering thechart in FIGURE 1. The first number of checks for which a charge is madeis found under each hundred-dollars range. This is multiplied by seven.Thus, considering the $400 range, or fourth co-ordinate, the number ofchecks for which a service charge is first to be made is five. This ismultiplied by seven, providing the value of 35 cents for A. The Bnumber, corresponding to an A number, is computed by taking the value ofA, adding 50 cents, and then subtracting the credit for thehundred-dollars balance. Thus, in etfect, the addition of B compensatesfor the previous subtraction of A from the calculated product of seventimes the number of items for which a charge is to be made, and therebythe correct service charge is provided.

By way of illustration, the value of A for the fourhundred-dollar rangeis 35 cents, to which 50 cents is added, leaving a total of cents. Thecredit for the four-hundred-dollar range is 56 cents, and, subtractingthis from 85 cents, leaves 29 cents as the value of B. Thus, assumingthat a minimum balance for an account were somewhere within the area of$400 to $499 and 16 checks were used, the calculation arrived at uponlooking through the transactions recorded on tape would be seven centstimes 16, or $1.12. Subtracting the value of A from this leaves 77cents. Adding the value of B leaves $1.06, which, if reference is madeto the chart, is the correct charge. Obviously, if only four checks wereused, when the value of A were subtracted from 28 cents, a negative Theabove indicates the A and E values which are stored in association withthe hundreds-dollar value.

For the operation of the embodiment of this invention, several countersare required. These counters are of the type which are described andclaimed in an application by James E. Heywood, entitled Gated-delaycounter, Serial No. 400,645, now Patent No. 2,858,429 filed December 28,1953, and assigned to this assignee. A block diagram exemplifying thetype of counter is shown in FIGURE 4. It includes a plurality ofsucceeding count stages 4G1, 402, 403, each one of which comprises thewell known flip-flop circuit having a set and reset stable state andbeing capable of being driven from one to the other of these states byinput pulses. The output of each flip-lop stage, when in its setcondition. is applied to an associated delay network 401A, 402A, and403A. Output from this delay network, besides being applied to otherrequired apparatus, is also applied to an associated AND gate 4tl1B,402B, and 49313. The AND gate is the well-known coincidence type ofcircuit which requires a simultaneous presence of all of its inputsbefore it can provide an output. To initiate operation of the counter,an AND gate 4% is provided. This starting AND gate 4th) applies itsoutput to set flip-flop 401 when a clock pulse is received from a source4% and also a signal is received from a source identified as AdvancingSource A. Each one of the other AND gates 491B through 463B has itsoutput applied to the set succeeding stage of the counter and to resetthe preceding stage of the counter. One input to each of these other ANDgates is an output from the delay circuit driven by the preceding stageof the counter.

A second input to the AND gates 401B, 4MB, 403B can be from theclock-pulse source 404. This clockpulse source represents the well-knownsynchronizing pulse source employed in data-handling systems. It can beeither a stable oscillator or, as in the present invention, the outputfrom track 30% on the magnetic drum on which are recorded pulses whichare read continuously. The purpose of the clocl -pulse source is tosynchronize the operation of the system. If desired, a third input tothe advancing AND gate before they can advance the counter may berequired, and, as exemplified in FIG- URE 4, consists of an input froman advancing pulse source. This may be a single source connected to allthe AND gates in the same manner as the clock-pulse source. This mayalso be more than one input from more than one advancing-pulse source.For example, AND gate 4913 requires a pulse not only from advancingsource B, but also from advancing source B.

In order to simplify the drawings herein to facilitate an understandingthereof, counters which will be shown hereafter will not be shown indetail of the one in FIGURE 4. Instead, a counter will be represented asshown in FIGURE 5, which is a block diagram of the counters required forproviding timing pulses for the embodiment of the invent-ion. The firstcount state of each counter cannot be entered until the input signalsrepresented by the labeled arrows directed into the first counter stateare provided. Thereafter, the count in each counter advances in responseto the set condition of a preceding counter stage and the input signalor signals represented by the labeled arrows shown pointing to theparticular counter state. Actually, FIGURE 5 shows two counters. One isa drum-bit counter 500, which is advanced through each one of its fivestages, respectively designated as m n p q r in response to pulses readfrom the clock track 3% on the drum. This counter is a continuouslyrecycling one. It is set into its first count condition by thecoincident arrival of one of the drum-digit-sync pulses 1d through 17dand a clock pulse. Each time it achieves its fifth count condition, alsodesignated as r state, it provides an advance-pulse output to thedrum-digit counter 502. The drum-digit counter 502 is one having 17separate counte states, respectively designated as states 1D through17D. The drum-digit counter first count state occurs in response to adrum-wordsync pulse and an r pulse. Thereafter, the drum-digit counter502 advances in response to each successive r pulse, thus indicating the17 digit intervals in a word, respectively as outputs 1D through 17D. Inthe succeeding drawings, outputs from the counter 562 will be designatedas 1D, 12D, or whatever count condition of this counter is required foroperation of the system. Outputs from the drum-bit counter arerepresented as m n p q and r FIGURE 6 is a block diagram representingthe tapereading apparatus and counters which are operated by thetape-reading apparatus. By way of example, it will be assumed that thetape has seven tracks from which a parallel data readout is made. Aneighth track is used for the end-account pulse marker. There are eighttapereading heads and amplifiers 691-668 associated with the respectiveeight tracks for reading. The data-reading heads and amplifiers alsohave their output leads respectively designated by the letters 2, u, v,w, x, y, z for identifying data-bit positions in a tape-data digit. Theoutput at the reading amplifiers dill-607 are respectively applied toassociated flip-flops 611-617. If a one bit is read in a track, theassociated one of the flip-flop circuits 611-617 will be set to its onestate. If a zero is read, the flipflop circuits 6 11-617 are notaffected. The flip-flop circuits 611617 are reset by associated ANDgates 611A- 617A. These AND gates provide the required reset output whentheir respective inputs comprise the one state of the associatedflip-flop and a TRP signal pulse. The derivation of this pulse will bedescribed infra.

The set outputs of flip-flops 6111-6177 are all applied to an OR gate618. The output from OR gate 618 is applied to an AND gate 620. Upon theoccurrence of a clock pulse therewith and a set output from a flip-flop622, AND gate 62% can set a flip-flop 624. The set output of flip-flop624. is applied as one of the required inputs to enable a counter 626 toenter into its first count state and also as one of the required inputsto enable an AND gate 628 to reset fiip-fiop 624. The other requiredinput to AND gate 628 is a clock pulse. Thus, flip-flop 624 remains setfor the interval between two clock pulses. The clock pulse that resetsflip-flop 624 also enables counter 626 to enter its first countcondition when flip-flop 622 is set.

Counter 626 has five count stages and is sucessively stepped throughthese in response to successive clock pulses, after once having beendriven to its first count condition. The fifth count stage output,designated as TRP, is the one which enables an AND gate 630, upon theoccurrence of the next clock pulse, to set flip-flop 622. This fifthcount stage TRP output is applied to all AND gates 611A-617A forresetting all flip-flops 611-617, and also to a second counter 632 toenable it to advance in response to successive clock pulses.

The set output of flip-flop 622, besides being applied to AND gate 620and the input counter stage 626, is also applied to an AND gate 634.Upon the occurrence of the next clock pulse, AND gate 634 is enabled .toreset flip-flop 622.

From the above description, it will be seen that flipflop 622 is set andall flip-flops 6116 17 are reset when counter 626 reaches its fifthcount state. Thereafter, any data pulses that are read set theflip-flops 611-617 associated with the tracks on the tape in which datapulses occur. The flip-flops 611-617 retain their set and resetconditions, representative of the data which has been read, untilcounter 626 again reaches its fifth count. OR gate 618 provides anoutput which sets flip-flop 624 to thereby enable counter 626 tocommence counting as soon as any data pulse has set any one offlip-flops 611-617. The set output of flip-flop 624 also enablesflip-flop 622 to be reset. The result of the operation of the structuredescribed is to provide a timed collection interval during which sevenbits of data must be read into the seven flip-flops 611-617. At the endof that interval, counter 626 resets all the flip-flops 611-617, and anew data-bit collection interval is established. This system is employedto avoid the eifects of skewed tape, which without such timed data bitcollection interval can cause erroneous data to be read. Thisarrangement is described and claimed in Patent No. 2,793,934, by DonaldK. Reynolds.

The set conditions of the flip-flops 611-617 are entered into otherflip-flop circuits, as will be more fully described in connection withFIGURE 9, for the purpose of staticizing the data that has been readfrom the tape.

Referring back to FTGURE 6, output from the fifth count stage of counter626 is applied, together with a clock pulse, to the first count stage ofcounter 632. This enables the counter to count through a complete countcycle in response to succeeding clock pulses. The outputs of thesuccessive count stages of counter 632 will be respectively designatedas m n p q r s t and u Each time a digit is read from the tape, counters626 and 632 are advanced through a complete cycle. it should be notedthat tape speed is considerably slower than drum speed and so that alarge number of clock pulses are obtained from the drum during theinterval required to move the tape from one recorded digit to the next.Counter 632 is known as the tape-bit-timing counter.

Still another counter 635, known as a tape-digit counter, is employedproviding digit-timing-pulse outputs. This counter has thirteen countstages and provides thirteen outputs, respectively designated 12 through13t. The counter is enabled to enter its first count state by therecognition of either a a or an alpha symbol being read from tape byapparatus designated as a symbol senser (shown in detail in FIGURE 9).These symbols are applied to an OR gate 636, the output from which,together with a clock pulse, is applied to the counter 635 first stage.Thereafter, counter 635 advances in response to clock pulses andsuccessive u outputs from counter 632. Since one u output is obtainedfor each digit read from the tape, counter 635 is known as thetape-digit counter.

The m and n outputs of counter 632 are applied to an OR gate 638, theoutput of which is a series of binarycoded decimal zeros. The outputs ofthe counter states n and q are applied to an OR gate 646, the output ofwhich goes to an AND gate 642. This AND gate has as its second requiredinput the 3,, output of counter 635.

Its output goes to an OR gate 644. As a second, or alternative, input tothe OR gate 644, there is also applied the output of an AND gate 646.The two required inputs to this AND gate 646 are the output of the ORgate 638, as well as the output of a flip-flop 648, when in its set, orone, condition. Flip-flop 648 is set by output from an AND gate 650, theinputs to which are respectively a 3 output of counter 635 and a aoutput of counter 632. The flip-flop 648 is reset upon receiving theoutput of an AND gate 652, the input to which is a 9, output of counter635 and a a output of counter 632. Thus, OR gate 644 can provide anoutput at 3, time, representing a binary-coded decimal 7, and, during 4,through 9 times, provides binary-coded decimal Zeros. The

structure described constitutes a zero generator and a seven-centsgenerator.

Another signal is required in the operation of this invention, which isdesignated as the 58G pulse. This signal is initiated by the applicationof a TRP pulse from counter 626 and a clock pulse to an AND gate 654.The output of AND gate 654 is applied to set a flipfiop circuit 656.Flip-flop 656 stays set until r time, when AND gate 658, in response tor and clock-pulse inputs, resets flip-flop 656.

In the embodiment of the invention to be described, the numeric data ishandled in serial form. Further, the numeric data is in the form of anexcess-three binary coded decimal code, with the least-significant digitoccurring first in the serial form. The tape has seven bits for eachdigit, in order to provide sufficient code variations to representalphabetic and symbol data, as well as numeric data. The numeric data isrepresented by the w, x, y, z, bits and is read by the heads 661 through60 3- over the associated tracks. Since this numeric data is read inparallel fashion from the tape, it is necessary to serialize these fourbits, and, in accordance with the usual information-handling machinepractice, a fifth or parity bit is added to provide an even parity foreach numeric digit.

The serialization of parallel data is a well-known technique. It isillustrated in FIGURE 6 by structure comprising four flip-flops 661,662, 663, 664, respectively set or not by outputs of associated ANDgates 661A, 662A, 663A, 664A and reset by outputs of associated ANDgates 66113, 6623, 6633, 6643. AND gates 661A, 662A, 663A, 664Arespectively are connected to receive the set outputs of flip-flops 611,612, 613, 614 and the output of the fourth stage of counter 626,whereupon the digit represented by the set or not-set states offlip-flops 611-614 are entered into flip-flops 661-664.

AND gates 661C, 662C, 663C, and 664C have one of their inputsrespectively connected to the set output sides of flip-flops 661, 662,663, and 664. These AND gates are enabled to provide outputs serially byrespectively receiving m n p q outputs of counter 632. Thus. an OR gate666, to which all the AND gates 661C-664C outputs are connected, willprovide as its output a sequence of pulses representative of the onestates of flip flops 661-664. At I count time of counter 632, AND gates661-6643 receive a i output, and those of these AND gates that are alsoreceiving a set output from the associated flip-flop circuit can resetthis flip-flop circuit. The output of OR gate 666 comprises serializedtape data.

A parity bit is now added to the four serialized bits of tape data. Thisis performed by a flip-flop circuit 668, which can be driven to its setstate by the output of an AND gate 666A and to its reset state by theouput of an OR gate 676. The OR gate 676 has as its inputs either a upulse from counter 632 or the output of an AND gate 668B. The enablinginputs to AND gate 668A comprise the output of OR gate 666 and the zeroor reset output of flip-flop 668. Thus, whenever a one bit occurs in theoutput of OR gate 666, and if flip-flop 668 is reset at the time, itwill be set by the output of AND gate 668A. The next one bit in theoutput of OR gate 666 will enable AND gate 66813 to provide a resettingoutput to flip-flop 668, providing flip-flop 668 is in its setcondition. Thus, flip-flop 663 remains set if an odd number of one bitsare read for eachdigit and will be left reset for each digit if itcontains an even number of one bits. At r time of counter 632, its routput is applied to an AND gate 672. If at that time flip-flop 668 isstill in its set state (odd number of one bits), AND gate 672 is enabledto provide an output to OR gate 666, which thereby adds it to the pulsetrain as an evenparity digit. At 14, time, OR gate 670 resets flip-flop668, if not already reset.

At this time reference is made to the representation of data on the tapeshown in FIGURE 2. The 6 symbol is one digit and occurs during the 1,state of counter 634. The succeeding sign is one digit and occurs duringthe 2, state of counter 634. The following current balance is digitslong and occupies the 3, through 12 states of counter 634. Thereafter,in the daily transactions, a or sign is one digit, the S symbol is onedigit, and the actual credit or debit requires 10 digits and occursduring 3 through l2 times of counter 634-.

FIGURES 7 and 8 taken together are block diagrams of the invention.FIGURE 7 shows the apparatus required in the data-flow paths of theinvention, and FIG- URE 8 is a block diagram of the apparatus requiredfor providing control signals for those data-flow paths. Referring nowto FIGURE 7, a tape-reading system 763 reads data from the tape 731 andapplies the output to a rectangle 702, representative of a symbolsenser, to an AND gate 704 and to the OR gate 603 in FIGURE 6. Thetape-reading system is the one shown in FIG- URE 6 and a symbol senseris shown and described in more detail subsequently in FIGURE 9. Theserialized data is applied to an AND gate 7%, and parallel data isapplied to the symbol senser 702. The function of the symbol senser isto generate a recognition output when any one of the symbols is read.These symbols include alpha, plus, minus, delta, S S S Send-ofcalculation, and an end-of-tape symbol. The tape-reading system 7%provides a separate output when, as was described previously, thereading head 6% over the ad ditional track reads the pulse indicative ofthe fact that the last item for the account has been read.

The serialized binary-coded decimal output of the taperead system isapplied to an AND gate 704. In order for this AND gate to furthertransfer its data input, it must also receive an input from apparatuswhich is found on FIGURE 8. It should be noted that a number of leadsextend between FIGURE 7 and FIGURE 8. These leads are correspondinglyidentified by the letter P, followed by a number. Thus, the input to ANDgate 794 is a P lead, which, in FIGURE 8, extends from the set output ofa flip-flop 832.

The sequence of operation of the system is controlled by a counter but},having nine count stages which are respectively designated as C C -C Aspointed out previously, this is the same type of counter as is shown inFIGURE 4. The required advancing inputs to the respective counter stagesare shown as arrows directed into the counter stage to which it advancesif all other required inputs are present. It will be understood thatexcept for state C as will be later explained, an advancing cannot occurbefore a previous count state is reached.

The service-charge calculation is initiated by obtaining a pulse from asource, here designated as the master-start pulse source 3&2. Thissource can be any suitable switch or apparatus in aninformation-handling machine which automatically provides the initiatingsignal when the calculation is required. The master-start pulse sourceoutput is applied to a flip-flop 8%, driving it to its set condition. italso starts the magnetic tape running forward by being applied to an ORgate (509, the output of which is applied to tape-control apparatus 818.Flipfiop $94 is reset by a suitable signal, either indicating that theend of the calculation process has been reached, or that the end of thetape which is being processed has been reached. Either of these signalsare obtained from the symbol senser 732, recognizing the code markingson the tape. The output of flip-flop 864, when it is set, is applied toan AND gate 306. A second required input to this AND gate 8% is theoutput provided upon the sensing of an alpha symbol by the symbol senser7%. It will be recalled from FIGURE 2 that the alpha signifies thebeginning of an account. Counter 8% is set by the output of AND gate 8%to its C count condition.

10 The output of the AND gate 866 is also applied to reset to its chargerepresenting state a flip-flop 883, which as will be subsequentlydescribed is used to establish whether or not a charge is made.

Counter 8th), when in its C count condition, provides an output to an ORgate 810, as well as to a P lead. The output of this OR gate energizes aP lead, which is connected to an OR gate 7% in FIGURE 7. The OR gateoutput is applied to energize a source of shift pulses 708. The outputof the source of shift pulses is applied to a shift register 710,designated as register 2. The shift register is of the type shown anddescribed in an article by Louis D. Stevens and James H. Knapton,entitled Gate- Type Shifting Register, in Electronics Magazine, vol. 22,Part II, pp. 186-192, December 1949, published by McGraw-Hill BookCompany. The source of shift pulses is any well-known oscillator circuitwhich is keyed on and maintained oscillating in synchronism with clockpulses, as long as an output is received from OR gate 706.

As previously indicated, the output of counter 8%, when in its C state,also energizes a F lead. This lead enables an AND gate 712 to applyzero-representative signals received from the output of OR gate 638 inFiG- URE 6 to the OR gate 716, from whence they are entered intoregister 710. The output of the zero generator OR gate 638 consists ofdecimal zeros in a suitable binary code. The entry of decimal zeros intothe shift register replaces information previously in the register, thuseffectively erasing this information unless it is directed elsewherefrom the shift register. Thus, the C state of counter 800 serves, byenergizing leads P and P to fill register 2 with decimal zeros.

Filling with zeros occurs during the interval from the time that thealpha symbol is sensed until the time a 12, output is received fromcounter 634. It will be recalled that counter 634 advances one count forevery digit which is read from the tape, following a word-startingsymbol. At 12,, time, counter 860 is advanced to its second, or C countcondition. It remains in the C count condition until an end-accountpulse is read by the tape-read system 7%. This transfers counter hilt)into its C count condition.

The C count state serves as a waiting state to provide synchronizationbetween the tape timing circuits and the drum timing circuits. As soonas a coincidence occurs between a 17D digit count and an r digit countfrom the drum, indicating the start of a standard drum word, state C isterminated and state C, starts. It. will be recalled that counter 562provides the 17D output and counter 509 provides the r output. It isthese two outputs that are applied to an AND gate (FIGURE 8) 812, theoutput of which advances the counter from a C to a C count condition.

The C state of the counter is a search state and this search stateremains until the particular data on the drum identified by thehundred-dollar digit of the derived minimum current balance has beenfound.

This co-ordinate is located in the following manner. Referring to FTGURE7, it will be recalled that the taperead system reads tape data into ANDgate 704. This AND gate output is applied to an OR gate 718. It shouldbe noted that data which is read includes the balances for each day,which balances are identified by the symbol delta, followed by a plus orminus sign, followed by the balance. The output of the OR gate 718 isapplied to a two-register serial sorter 720. The two-register serialsorter is sorter of the type described and claimed in an application bythe present inventors, Serial No. 423,558, filed April 16, 1954, forData Sorting System, now Patent No. 2,798,216. The serial sorter 720selects the lowest one of the succession of numbers which is applied toits input. Briefly described, the two-register serial sorter includestwo shift registers plus associated circuitry whereby a comparingcircuit compares one number entered into one register and beingcirculated with another number being entered into the other register.The decision of the comparing circuit as to the lower number operates,upon the next number for comparison being applied to the input, tocirculate the contents of the register having the lower number whilesuch next number is being entered into the other register in place ofthe one found to be the higher number of the two. Each time thetwo-register serial sorter is energized to perform a comparingoperation, the contents of the register being circulated are read outduring the circulation operation, this being the lowest number found tothe time of that operation. The tworegister serial sorter also includescircuitry which functions to enter the first number received into oneregister; the second number received is then directed to the secondregister, while being compared with the number in the first register.The a signal provides this instruction. Thereafter, operation of thesorter is as described, with control being in the comparator.

Once the tape is started running forward in response to a master startpulse, it continues running forward until an end-account pulse issensed. This end-account pulse will cause the tape to stop and thenreverse itself.

In order to carry out the proper tape-motion operations, atape-speed-control system is required. This may be any well-knownarrangement for controlling the motors and capstans employed in movingtape in response to pulse signals. A preferred arrangement is describedand claimed in an application by the present inventors for ControlApparatus, Serial No. 599,089, now Patent No. 2,867,791 filed July 20,1956, and assigned to a common assignee. For the purposes of thisapplication, a tape-speed control system is represented by the rectangle818 and it has three inputs. Energization of one input results in thetape motion being stopped. Energization of the second input results inthe tape being run backwards, and energization of the third inputresults in the tape being run forward. Th outputs of the tape-speedcontrol system, aside from the actual mechanical control of the tape,will be energization of a first line, indicating that the tape isrunning forward; energization of a second line, indicating that the tapeis stopped; and energization of a third line, indicating that the tapeis running in reverse. An end-account signal energizes the reverse leadof the tape-speed-control system. It also energizes a one-shotmultivibrator 820, which is a well-known unistable state multivibrator,and this one-shot at some predetermined time after it is driven from itsstable to its unstable state, returns to its stable state, providing anoutput. This output is applied to an OR gate 822, the output of Which isapplied to the tapestop input lead of the tape-speed-control system tostop the tape. This positions the tape properly within the account spaceof the account just processed and before the next account for which aservice-charge calculation is to be made. Thus, the tape can be startedrunning forward, can write the calculated service charge and new accountbalance, if desired, after sensing the end-account mark, and can sensethe next alpha symbol representative of the beginning of the nextaccount.

Referring new again to the commencement of operations, when the tape,which i running forward, passes the name-and-address region of the tape,and while counter 800 is still in the C count condition, a delta symbol,signalling the beginning of a current balance, will be read. t should berecalled that each current balance entry is preceded on the tape by adelta symbol. This will cause flip-flop 324 to be driven to its setcondition. The set output of this flip-flop energizes a P lead throughan OR gate 823. It also enables an AND gate 825 to set a flip-flop 827when 2, and a outputs are received from the counters sea and 632. Theset output of flipflop 82.7 energizes a P lead. Referring now to FIGURE7, the P and P leads are connected to an AND gate 721. When a SSG pulseoccurs (FIGURE 6), AND gate 721 stays open or the time for bits tooccur. These 5 bits overlap m n p q and r Since flip-flop 827 remains onuntil 12,, u ten sets of SSGs will pass through AND gate 721, thusoverlapping or gating ten digits of tape data being read out in the5-bit drum code. AND gate 721 output is applied to an OR gate 722., theoutput of which is employed to energize a source of shift pulses 724,whereby a register 726, designated hereafter as register one, commencesto enter any input data. The output of AND gate 721 is also appliedthrough an OR gate 723 to energize the two-register serial sorter 7249to proceed with its sorting operation. The P lead is connected to an ANDgate 723, which is between the output of the tworegister serial sorter72d and the input to the register 1. When the P lead is energized, theAND gate 728 is opened to apply any output to an OR gate 73%. The outputof the two-register serial sorter is the lowest of the numbers appliedto its input through OR gate 718. Flipilops and 827 are reset by thesimultaneous occurrence of the 12, and a counter outputs applied to anAND gate 326. It will be recalled that the 12, and a outputs are theoutputs of counters use and 634 in FIGURE 6, which are energizedrespectively responsive to the bits and digits being read from the tape.Thus, each time a delta symbol is recognized, flip-flop 324 is set andafter the elapse of 12 digits it is reset. The length of each currentbalance is 12 digits.

Flipdlop 824-, when set, also applies its output to two AND gates 823and 839. AND gate 830 will set a flipflop $32 if a plus symbolrecognition output is derived from the symbol senser 772 while it isenergized. A P lead is energized by the set, or one, output of flip-flop832. This enables AND gate 7% to enter through OR gate 713 into thesorter 72s the data being read at the time, consisting of a currentbalance. AND gate 826 resets both fiip-flops 824 and 832 at 12 and atime, which occurs after the current balance has been read.

It should be noted that it is not desirable that a negative number enterthe two-register serial sorter. Therefore, provision must be made toprevent the entry of a negative current balance. For the purposes ofthis sorting routine, all that is needed is that a zero be entered intothe serial sorter in place of a negative minimum balance. In order toenter a zero into the two-register serial sorter, the output of OR gate63$, comprising zerorepresentative signals, is connected to AND gate734. This AND gate is enabled only when the P lead is energized. Theoutput of AND gate 328 energizes the P lead. The AND gate 828 isenergized when the set output of flip-flop 824 and the reset output offlip-flop 832 are simultaneously present. This occurs only when acurrent balance which is negative is read, since AND gate 839 will notbe able to set flip-flop 332. Thus, the minimum balance read out of thetwo-register serial sorter into the register 1 will be a zero.

As the tape continues to be run through the activity portion, thetwo-register serial sorter, each time the P and P leads are energized,will enter into register 1 the lowest of the minimum balances read tothat time. When the end-account pulse is sensed, operations arecommenced to insure that register 1 will contain the minimum balance forthe account. It should be noted that when a zero is entered into thetwo-register serial sorter and the P lead is energized, the P lead isnot energized, and thus tape data is not entered into the sorter at thetime when zeros are being entered. The above description shows how theminimum current balance is derived.

When an end-account pulse is sensed (FIGURE 7) together with a clockpulse and a signal from the tape-speed control, indicative that the tapeis going forward, an AND gate 772 sets a flip-flop 774. The set, or one,output of this flip-flop, together with a clock pulse and 7 and r inputs(drum counters), are applied to enable an AND gate 773 to set flip-flop775. The set, or one, output of flip-flop 775 is connected to OR gate723 to thereby energize the serial sorter to transfer out the lowestminimum balance and to energize the shift-pulse source 724 so that thismay be entered into the shift register 726.

The one output of fiip-flop 775 also is applied to OR gate 823 (FIGURE8) to energize the P lead and thereby open AND gate 723. Flip-flop 774is reset to its zero state at 7, r through AND gate 773 at clock-pulsetime. Flip-flop 775 is maintained in its set state until it is reset bythe output of AND gate 776 in response to the occurrence of a clockpulse and 17,,, r time. Thus, the sorter operates to transfer out thelowest minimum balance which has been found to the register 726. Thus,an interval sufiicient to enable a readout of the lowest minimum balancefound is provided, and, if it was not entered into the shift register7236 pursuant to a previous readout, it is definitely entered at thistime.

It was pointed out previously that while the minimum current balance isbeing selected, the product of seven cents times the number of items forwhich such charge must be made is also being calculated. The resetoutput of flip-flop 824, which exists when a current balance is notbeing read, is applied to an AND gate 834 and a second AND gate 336. Ifa minus symbol is seen by the symbol senser, then AND gate 634 isenabled to set flip-flop 838. The output of ffip-fiop 838, when in itsset condition, is applied to an AND gate 841?). If an S symbol isrecognized by the symbol senser, AND gate 346 can apply its output toset a flip-flop $42. The output of flip-flop 842 is applied to OR gates844 and 84-6. This causes the energization of a P and a P lead.

The P lead, as shown in FIGURE 7, enables the output of OR gate 6 whichrepresents seven cents, to pass through an AND gate 752 and through anOR gate 754 to one input designated as b of an arithmetic unit 756. Itwill be recalled that OR gate 644 emanates decimal 7 at 3,, time,followed by decimal zeros at 4 5 6 7 8 and 9,. An arithmetic unit of thetype required for adding or subtracting the binary code used iswell-known and suitable circuit arrangements are shown and described,for example, in chapter 13 of a book entitled High-Speed ComputingDevices, by Engineering Research Associates, published by McGraw-HillBook Company. By energization of an add control lead through P thearithmetic unit will add the a and b inputs and produce an output sum.By energization of a subtract-control lead through P the arithmetic unitwill subtract the a and [7 inputs and produce the difference.

The output of OR gate 846, besides energizing the P lead, also energizesthe P lead through OR gate 810. The P lead output is applied to an ANDgate 777. This AND gate, when a 55G output and the output from the oneside of flip-flop 648 are received, through OR gate 706 energizes thesource of shift pulses 7638, to enable a shift-out of the information inthe register 710 to the a terminal of the arithmetic unit. It will berecalled that a C time of counter 30%, register 7H) was filled withzeros. Thus, the initial entry into the arithmetic unit from register 2is zero. The energization of the P lead instructs the arithmetic unit toadd the numbers being applied to the a and b terminals at the time. Theb terminal input is seven cents. Thus, it will be seen that whenever anitem is associated with a minus and S symbol, indicative of the factthat a charge should be made, seven cents is added to the amount inregister two.

The output or the arithmetic unit, consisting of the sum, is enteredinto register 2, replacing the amount which is stepped out therefrominto the arithmetic unit. AND gate 758 is enabled to pass the arithmeticsum when a P lead is energized. This occurs when either OR gate 844 orOR gate 862 are activated, since the outputs of both OR gates, inaddition to the functions previously described, are both applied to anOR gate 856, the output from which actuates the P lead. By the time ofcompletion of the reading of a debit item at 12,, and it, time, AND gate352 will have received a 6 and u, output from the tape bit and digitcounters 632 and 634. AND gate 852 then applies its output to resetflip-flop 838. AND

14 gate 851 resets flip-flop 842 at 9 u counts. This timing results inthe accumulation of a six-digit sum in register two.

In the event that a credit item is seen, then the plus symbol output ofthe symbol senser is applied to an AND gate 836, which also receives aset output from flip-flop 824, enabling it to set flip-flop 856. Thisflip-flop applies its set output to an AND gate 858. If an S symbol isseen, then AND gate 858 can set flip-flop 868. It will be recalled thatan S symbol indicates the fact that a deduction of seven cents is to bemade from whatever charges were calculated up to that time. The outputof flip-flop 360, when in its set condition, is applied to OR gate 862,as well as to OR gate 846. The output of OR gate 862 excites a P leadand also, through OR gate 850, excites the P lead. Referring to FIGURE7, it will be seen that the P lead instructs the arithmetic unit tosubtract the numbers applied to its a and [1 inputs. Since the P leadhas also been energized, the amount which is stepped out of register twointo the arithmetic unit is reduced by seven cents from the seven-centgenerator. The resulting difference is again entered into register two.At 6 a time AND gate 852 resets flip-flop 856; and at 9 a time AND gate851 resets flip-flop 860. Thus, it will be seen how the tape has itscontents simultaneously scanned to derive therefrom the minimum currentbalance and to compute the product of seven cents and the number ofitems for which a charge is to be made.

When the end-of-account pulse is received, the tworegister serial sorter72% has the minimum current balance for the account and register 2 has anumber which is the product of seven times whatever the number of itemsto be charged for is. As the result of the end-ofaccount pulse havingbeen read, the counter 804} state 3 is entered into which is the waitingstate permitting synchronization with drum pulses. Upon the occurrenceof 17D and r output from the drum bit and digit counter and the onestate of flip-flop 775, AND gate 812 provides an output, advancingcounter 800 to its C count. As previously described, the output of the0., count state is applied to an AND gate 814 and upon the occurrence ofthe 13D and r counts, flip-flop 816 is set, energizing the P lead, whichremains energized until the occurrence of a 6D and r count output. The6D and r outputs are applied to an AND gate 817, the output of whichresets flip-flop 816 and de-energizes the P lead.

The drum 760 rotates continuously and the head 762 continuously readsthe output of the track 302 (FIGURE 1) into an amplifier 764.Energization of the P lead, when the proper conditions arise, enablesthe register 1 to circulate its contents, since both the shift pulsesource 724 is energized for the interval required between 13D, r and 6D,r and an AND gate 766, which is in the path between the input and theoutput of the register 1, is opened. Simultaneously with the circulationof the contents of the register 1, a thousand-dollar senser 768 sensesthe amount being circulated to determine whether or not it is equal toor exceeds a thousand dollars. If this is the case, then a K; lead isenergized. The output of this K lead, as will be shown later, serves thefunction of terminating the service-charge operation and directing theapparatus to go to the next account.

I As the data in register 1 is circulated, each time the hundred-dollardigit occurs, it is compared by means of a comparator 770 with thehundred-dollar index, which is read from the drum track 302. This can bereadily achieved since the fifth digit from the least-significant digitin the register will always be the hundreds-of-dollars amount and thesystem is synchronized from clock pulses derived from the drum. Upon anidentity in the hundreddollars index and minimum-current-balancehundred-dollar digit being achieved, an output from the comparator 770is obtained, consisting of the energization of a lead identified as KReferring now to FIGURE 8, an AND gate 879,

i upon the occurrence of the 2D count in the drum digit counter and alsothe counter being in its 0.; count condition, causes a flip-flop 872 tobe set. Both flip-flops 872 and 816 are reset each time the 6D, rcombined input is applied to AND gate 817. The set output of flip-flop872 is applied to an AND gate 874, which if 2. K input is appliedthereto, significant of the fact that the minimum current balanceexceeds a thousand dollars, applies its output to an OR gate 876. Theoutput of the OR gate 876 is applied to an AND gate 878, which ispreviously primed through an OR gate 877 by the fact that counter 880 isin its C count condition. The output of AND gate 878 sets flip-flop 888.The set output of flip-flop 888 is indicative of the fact that no chargeshould be made and is applied to an OR gate 888 and to OR gates 881,883, 885, and 887, whereby the counter 838 is rapidly transferred to itsC or last, count condition, effectively skipping through theintermediate count conditions. This results in no charge being made forthe account in question, and also energizes an OR gate 809, the outputof which instructs the tape to commence running forward again to thenext account.

In the event that no K output is obtained, indicative of the fact thatthe minimum balance for the account was not a thousand dollars or over,there will be a K output from the comparator 77 t). The counter isstepped to its succeeding, or C count condition when both the K lead isenergized and a 1D count output occurs, both of which are applied to anAND gate 882. The C state is a waiting state between the time thatcomparison with the drum table is found and the time that the first Aitem actually appears on the drum. As shown in FIGURE 3, this occupiesthe time between 1D and 6D. The time just prior to the arrival of thecorrect A item is signified by the output of an AND gate 884, whichoccurs when a 5D and an r output are applied thereto. This transfers thecounter 800 to its C count condition. Its output at that time energizesOR gate 848 and OR gate 862. The output of OR gate 862, besidesenergizing the P lead, also energizes OR gate 850, which serves toenergize the P lead. The output of OR gate 848 energizes the P lead.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the energization of the P lead instructs thearithmetic unit that a subtraction should take place. The energization othe P le"d first s ves to enable the shift-pulse source 708 through theOR gate 706 to shift the contents of register 2 to the 0 input terminalto the arithmetic unit and also serves to enable an AND gate 769 toreceive the output of the drum track which occurs at that time. Thisoutput, of course, is the A item. It is entered through OR gate 754 intothe b input terminal of the arithmetic unit simultaneously with theentry into the arithmetic unit from register 2 of the amount calculatedby multiplying by seven cents the number of items for which a charge isto be made.

Counter 800 remains in its C count condition until the 11D, r time,which, referring to FIGURE 3, is the time which occurs at the end of theA item. At that time, counter 880 is transferred to its 0; countcondition. The subtraction which has taken place is terminated, and theoutput of the arithmetic unit has now been stepped into the register710.

It should be noted that while output from the arithmetic unit is beingtransferred to the register 710, it is sensed to determine whether ornot it is zero or negative by a zero or minus senser 771. This senser771 is enabled by the signal on the P lead. If a negative amount issensed, or a zero, then a lead designated as K is energized by the zeroand minus senser. The K; lead is connected to an AND gate 886 shown inFIGURE 8. AND gate 886 at 11D time, if the K lead is energized, appliesits output to OR gate 876. OR gate 876 output is connected to AND gate878. The second required input to AND gait? s the put Of OR gate 877,which is received at C7 count time. AND gate 878 output serves to setthe flip-flop 888 to indicate no charge.

if the K lead is not energized, then the C7 count con dition serves toenergize both the OR gate 844 and OR gate 848, whereby the leads P and Pare energized. Lead P is also energized through OR gate 850 by outputfrom OR gate 844. Energization of the P lead instructs the arithmeticunit to add the data being applied to its a and b input terminals. The Flead also enables the source of shift pulses to shift the contents ofregister 2 into the arithmetic unit and to receive the output of thearithmetic unit. The energization of the P lead is necessary to enableAND gate 758 to transfer the data from the output of the arithmetic unitinto the register. Accordingly, what occurs is that the B" item, whichis entered into the arithmetic unit, is added to the differenceresulting when the A item is subtracted from the calculated item,resulting in the correct service charge. This is entered into register2.

At 17D, r time, AND gate 890 transfers the counter into its C countcondition. At this time, the output of C is applied to an AND gate 882.This AND gate requires as its second enabling input an output fromflipflop 888, indicative of the fact that a charge is to be made. ANDgate 892 output is applied to apparatus identified asservice-charge-post apparatus 894. This can be any desired apparatuswhich can serve either to apply the contents of register 2 to an outputprinter device, to transfer the contents of register 2 to anotherstorage system in which it may be associated with the account number, orany other desired operation. The end of any such operation may besignaled by a pulse applied to OR gate 888, whereupon the counter entersits C count condition and instructs the tape with the output derived atthat time to start processing the next account.

Apparatus which has been described as a symbol senser 782,thousand-dollar senser 768, zero or minus senser 771, will now berespectively described and shown in FlGURES 9, 10, and 11. The followingtable illustrates a code which may be used for the symbols employedherein. The letters I, u, v, w, x, y, and z are positioned above eachbit location in the binary code.

In the embodiment of the invention which was constructed, anexcess-three binary decimal code was employed for numbers, with the w,x, y, z bits having numeric significance. For the purposes ofservice-charge calculation, only four bits of each digit read from thetape were entered into the apparatus, as shown in FIG- URE 6, althoughseven bits were read. A fifth even parity bit was generated.

Referring now to FIGURE 9, there will be seen an illustration of atypical symbol senser, as well as the tape data serializer andstaticizer which may be employed. There are seven channels employed onthe tape in order to have the symbols shown. The taperead system 788provides one output for each channel (derived from the set outputs ofthe seven flip-flops err-s17 and each one of these outputs is applied toan associated flip-flop 8881, 8881:, 988v, 988w, 980x, 9% and 9881. Theoutputs of each one of these flip-flops have been respectivelydesignated for the set condition as t, for the reset condition as T, orw, E, etc. If a one appears in a channel, the associated flip-flop isset. If a one does not appear in a channel,

the associated flip-flop remains reset. All flip-flops 900t through 900zare reset upon the occurrence of a li pulse. This insures that theflip-flops are available for the next character or symbol sensing.

The flip-flops 900z-900z staticize the character symbol or digit readfrom the tape so that a parallel presentation of electrical signalsrepresentative thereof is made.

The AND gate arrangements shown in FIGURE 9 for symbol sensing are thosefor the symbols alpha and In order to simplify the explanation herein,the arrangements required for the .remaining symbols will not be shown.However, it will be clearly understood from the description of themanner of sensing symbols alpha and how these other arrangements may bereadily constructed.

Regarding the code for alpha, it consists of 0111110. This, in theflip-flop notation used would be i, u, v, w, x, y, 5. Considering thefirst three digit positions in the sensing of alpha, an AND gate 902provides an output only when its input receives the simultaneouspresence of t, u, v. It will be noted that this represents the firstthree digit positions of alpha. The 'i, u, v inputs are received fromflip-flops 900t, 90011, and 900v. The output of AND gate 902 is appliedto an AND gate 904. Another AND gate 906 will provide an output onlywhen its input receives a simultaneous application of pulses fromflip-flops 900x, 900 and 900z, corresponding to x, y, and 5. It will beseen that this takes care of the last three digits of the alpha-coderepresentation. AND gate 906 output is applied to AND gate 004. Theremaining digit position w is handled by requiring the application toAND gate 904 of a w output from flip-flop 900w. AND gate 904 has as itslast required input a quiz pulse from the output of counter 626, shownin FIGURE 6.

In order to sense the presence of a symbol, three more AND gates areemployed, a first one of these 910 senses the simultaneous presence oft, H, and v from the outputs of flip-flops 0001, 00011, and 900v. Theoutput of AND gate 910 is applied to a succeeding AND gate 912. AnotherAND gate 914 provides an output when it receives 5, y, and E as itsinputs, which are simultaneously present; E serves as the third requiredinput for AND gate 9112. Upon the application of a quiz pulse and uponthe presence of an output from AND gate 912, the fact that a plus hasbeen sensed is evidenced. It will thus be seen from the aboveillustrative symbol senser description that any one of the symbols maybe sensed, employing three AND gates which respond to the proper patternof outputs from the flip-flops 9002 through 900z. For example, the minussymbol would be sensed by the presence at a first AND gate of 1, v, w,at a second AND gate the presence of an x, y, and ii, and a z is appliedto a third AND gate together with the outputs of the other preceding twoAND gates. A delta symbol would use one AND gate to sense thesimultaneous presence of t, ii, 2, a second AND gate would sense thepresence of I 10, E, and a third AND gate would receive the output ofthese two plus a quiz pulse, plus a 5 output.

FIGURE 10 is a detailed block diagram illustrating structure for the$1000 senser 768 shown in FIGURE 7. The circuit includes an AND gate1000, which is enabled to set a flip-flop circuit 1002 when it receivesa 5D and r pulse from drum counters 500 and 502 as well as P leadenergization. The set output of flip-flop 1002 is applied to an AND gate1004. It should be noted at this time that fiip'flop 1002 is set justafter the fifth, or hundreds, digit has occurred and will be reset bythe C count state of counter 800, i.e., just before the circulating andcomparing operation is to occur again.

AND gate 1004 has applied thereto the data from register 726 and theoutput of an OR gate 1006. OR gate 1006 provides output pulses uponreceiving p and q outputs from counter 500. These are the bit positionsfor the binary zeros in the excess-three code representation of a zerodigit. This location of binary zeros is peculiar only to the digit zero.If the data has ones in these locations during p or q time, it isindicative of the fact that the digit being sensed has a value otherthan zero, indicative of a number equal to or exceeding $1000. Thereby,OR gate 1004 is enabled to set flip-flop 1008. The set output offlip-flop 1008 provides the K signal. The flip-flop is reset when itreceives a C output from counter 800.

FIGURE 11 is a detailed block diagram illustrating structure for a zeroor minus senser 772. An OR gate 1100 provides an output when energizedby a p or q count output of counter 500. The reasoning for selectingthese count outputs is the same as is explained for OR gate 1006 inFIGURE 10. An AND gate 1102 has applied to its inputs the output of ORgate 1100, the P lead, and the output of the arithmetic unit 756. ANDgate 1102 can therefore provide an output for setting flip-flop 1104only if the arithmetic data has a value other than zero. The reset orzero output of flip-flop 1104 is connected to an AND gate 1106. At 11D,r time this AND gate, in the presence of a zero output from flip-flop1104, can provide a K;; signal output through an OR gate 1108,indicative of having sensed the value zero as the result of acalculation to determine the amount of service charge. Flip-flop 1104 isreset by an AND gate 1110, which is actuated to provide the requiredreset signal by 6D, r count inputs and the flip-flop being in its setcondition.

An AND gate 1112 is enabled to set a flip-flop 1114 in the presence of pand 11D count inputs and any ones in the arithmetic data being sensed atthat time. The set output of flip-flop 1114 is one of the inputs appliedto an AND gate 1116. An AND gate 1118 is enabled to provide a set outputto flip-flop 1120 in response to an llD and q count input as well as anyones in the arithmetic data being sensed at that time. The set output offlipflop 1120 is a second required input to AND gate 1116. The AND gate1116 will thereafter provide a K signal to OR gate 1108 at r time.Flip-flops 1114 and 1120 are reset at r time. Since any quantityrepresented in the excess-three code utilized herein which has anegative value has a nine digit (1100) during llD time, the sensing byAND gates 1112 and 1110 as to the existence of ones, in the llD digitposition and p and q bit position within that digit position, in thearithmetic data indicates a negative number and results in a K signalbeing provided.

There has accordingly been shown and described herein a novel and usefularrangement for caiculating the service charge which is to be made foran account which has drawn a number of checks or items for which thecharge is to be made. The calculation involves establishing the minimumbalance, as well as the number of items for which the charge is to bemade, determining from that minimum balance whether any charge is to bemade. Thereafter, calculation is entered into, employing a calculationtable which is stored on a memory for the purpose of providing theservice charge. Although the memory is the rotary type, it will be wellunderstood that the data provided by the fifth-significant digit or the:hundreds digit can readily serve as an address information from whichthe data can be derived from other types of storage.

We claim:

1. In a system wherein there is recorded on a storage medium for eachcustomer over a predetermined interval signals representative of theaccount activity including signals representing items handled, andsignals representing periodic current balance entries, 2. system forcalculating the service charge to be made for handling items for acustomer having less than a predetermined. minimum balance, which chargeis to be based upon a, minimum fee plus a fixed charge per item less acredit based on the minimum balance value, said system com-- prisingmeans for selecting from said storage medium the signals representingthe minimum balance occurring for a customer, means for determiningwhether the minimum;

balance represented by said minimum balance value signals exceeds apredetermined value and to provide a signal indicative thereof, meansresponsive to said signal indicating the minimum balance exceeding apredetermined value to terminate further service-charge calculation forsaid customer, means for identifying item signals for which a charge isto be made, means for generating a set of signals representing a fixedcharge for an item, means for accumulating a set of said signalsrepresenting fixed charges for each time identified by said means foridentifying item signals to produce electrical signals representative ofthe fixed charge sum, a source of signals representing different firstand second values and associated identifying signals representingminimum balance values, each said first value being the product of thelowest number of items for a minimum balance for which a charge is to bemade and said fixed charge, each said second value being the sum of saidfirst value and said minimum fee less the credit for said minimumbalance value, means for comparing for identity the minimum balancesignals obtained by said means for selecting the minimum balance valuewith the minimum balance sigrials at said source, means for extractingsignals representing a first and second value from said source inaccordance with an identity being established by said means forcomparing, means for obtaining signals representing the differencebetween the value represented by said fixedcharge sum signals and thefirst value extracted by said means for extracting to provide differencesignals, means responsive to said difference signals beingrepresentative of a Zero or a negative quantity to terminate furtherservice-charge calculation, and means to add said second value signalsto said difference signals to obtain signals representing the servicecharge for said customer.

2. In a system wherein there is recorded on a storage medium for eachcustomer over a predetermined interval signals representing the customeraccount activity including signals representing items handled, andsignals representing periodic current-balance entries, a system forcalculating the service charge to be made for handling items for acustomer having less than a predetermined minimum balance, which chargeis to be based upon a minimum fee plus a fixed charge per item less acredit based on the minimum balance value, said system comprising meansfor selecting the signals representing the minimum balance occurring inan account, means for sensing whether s id selected minimum balancesignals equals or exceeds said predetermined minimum balance and forproviding a first output signal indicative thereof, means responsive tosaid first output si nal to terminate further service-charge activityfor said account, means for identifying the sign ls represening itemsfor an account for which a charge is to be made, means responsive tosaid means for identifvina for est blishing signals rep resen in thevalue of the product of the number of items for which a charge is to bemade and the fixed charge per item, means to es ablish signalsrepresenting a first precalculated value determined by the product ofsaid fixed charge per item and the minimum number of items for theminimum b lance selected for which a service charge is made, means forsubtracting from said signals rep resenting said established value saidsignals representing said first precalculated value, means for sensingwhether or not the result of said subtraction are signals representingZero or less than providing a second output signal indicative thereof,means responsive to said second output signal to terminate furtherservice-charge activity for said account, means to derive signalsrepresenting a second precalculated value which is the sum of said firstprecalculated value plus said minimum fee less the credit based on theselected minimum balance value. and means to add to said signalsrepresentative of a difference, si nal representing said secondprecalculated value to obtain the service charge for the account.

3. In a banking system wherein there is recorded on a storage medium foreach depositor over a predetermined interval signals representing theaccount activity including signals indicative of checks handled togetherwith signals representing periodic current-balance entries, a system forcalculating the service charge to be made for handling checks for adepositor having less than a predetermined minimum balance, whichservice charge is to be based on a minimum fee plus a fixed charge percheck less a credit based on the minimumbalance value, said systemcomprising means for selecting signals representing the -minimum balancevalue occurring in an account, means for sensing whether said selectedsignals representing the minimum balance equals or exceeds saidpredetermined minimum balance and for providing a first output signalindicative thereof, means responsive to said first output signal toterminate further service-charge activity for said account, means foridentifying the signals indicative of checks of an account for which acharge is to be made, an arithmetic unit, means responsive to said meansfor identifying signals indicative of checks to apply said fixed chargesignals to said arithmetic unit to be added each time a check isidentified whereby signals representative of a first sum is generated,storage means for storing signals representing a table of dataconsisting of a different first and a second value associated with adifferent minimum balance, each said first value being the product ofthe lowest number of checks for a minimum balance for which a charge isto be made and said fixed charge, each said second value being the sumof said first value, and said minimum fee less the credit for saidminimum balance value, means responsive to all the signals indicative ofchecks for a account having been identified to select signalsrepresentative of a first value and a second value from said storagemeans which are associated with a minimum balance equivalent to saidselected minimum balance, means to apply said signals representative ofa first value to said arithmetic unit to be subtracted from said firstsum representative signals, means to sense whether or not the resultantsignals representing the difference is Zero or less and to provide anoutput signal indicative thereof,

- means responsive to said second output signal to termi nate furtherservice-charge acivity for the account, and means to apply said secondvalue representative signals to said arithmetic unit to be added to saidresultant signals representing the difference to obtain signalsrepresenting the service charge for the account.

4. In a banking system wherein there is recorded on an elongated storagemedium signals representing the account activity data of a plurality ofdepositors the recording for each account being delineated by signalsrepresenting a begin-account symbol at the beginning, and an end-accountsignal pulse at the end, the account activity including signalsrepresenting the amounts of checks for which a charge is to be made eachof which is preceded by signals representing a charge symbol, andsignals representing periodic current balances each of which is precededby signals representing a current-bah ance symbol, a system forcalculating the service charge to be made for each account which is tobe based upon a minimum fee plus a fixed charge per check, less a creditbased on a minimum-balance value, said system comprising means forreading the data signals from said elongated storage medium, sortingapparatus for obtaining signals representing the lowest value of thosevalue representative signals applied to its input, means responsive tothe reading of signals representing a current-balance symbol to enterthe following signals-representing a current balance into said sortingapparatus whereby the signals representing a minimum current balance forthe account are obtained, means responsive to the value represented bysaid minimum current balance representative signals being below apredetermined level to terminate further service-charge calculation forthis account, means responsive to the reading of signals representingcharge symbols to accumulate fixed change representative signals foreach symbol, storage means for storing signals representing a table ofdata consisting of a different first and second value associated with adifferent minimum balance, each said first value being the product ofthe lowest number of checks for a minimum balance for which a charge isto be made and said fixed charge, each said second value being the sumof said first value and said minimum fee less the credit for saidminimum balance value, means responsive to said end-account pulse beingread for obtaining signals representing a first and a second value fromsaid storage means which are associated with a minimum balanceequivalent to the one selected by said sorting apparatus, means forobtaining signals representing the difierence between said accumulatedfixed charges and said first value, means responsive to said differencerepresentative signals being representative of zero or less todiscontinue further service-charge activity for said account, and meansto add said signals representing said second value to said difierencerepresentative signals to obtain the servicecharge representativesignals for said account.

5. In a banking system wherein there is recorded on an elongated storagemedium signals representing the account activity data of a plurality ofdepositors the recording for each account being delineated bybeginaccount representative signals at the beginning and an end-accountpulse at the end the account activity including signals representativeof checks for which a charge is to be made each of which is preceded bysignals representing a charge symbol, and signals representing periodiccurrent balances each of which is preceded by signals representing acurrent balance symbol, a system for calculating the service charge tobe made for each account which is to be based upon a minimum fee plus afixed charge per check, less a credit based on a minimum balance value,said system comprising means for reading the data representative signalsfrom said elongated storage medium, means for identifying signalsrepresenting symbols which are read and for providing an outputidentifying the symbol, sorting apparatus for obtaining the lowest valuerepresentative signals of those applied to its input, means responsiveto identification of signals representing a current-balance symbol toenter the following current-balance representative signals into saidsorting apparatus whereby signals representing the minimum currentbalance for the account is obtained, means responsive to the value ofsaid minimum current balance represented by signals being below apredeten mined level to terminate further service-charge calculation forthis account, an arithmetic system, means responsive to identificationof charge symbol signals to instruct said arithmetic system toaccumulate signals representing fixed charges, storage means for storingsignals representing -a table of data consisting of a different firstand second value associated with a difierent minimum balance, each saidfirst value being the product of the lowest number of checks for aminimum balance for which a charge is to be made and said fixed charge,each second value being the sum of said first value and said minimum feeless the credit for said minimum balance value, means responsive to thereading of said end-account pulse by said data-reading means to selectsignals from said table representing a first and a second value whichare associated with a minimum balance equivalent to the one selected bysaid sorting apparatus, means responsive to signals representing a firstvalue having been selected to instruct said arithmetic system tosubtract said selected first value representative signals from saidaccumulated fixed charge representative signals, means responsive to theresult of said subtracting being signals which represent a zero or anegative value to terminate further service-charge calculation, andmeans to instruct said arithmetic system to add said selected secondvalue representative signals to said subtraction re- Z23 suit to therebyobtain the service charge for said account.

6. In a banking system as recited in claim 5 wherein said storage meansstoring a table of data includes a magnetic drum on which said data isstored, means for continuously reading said data from said drum, thefirst and second values stored on said drum being stored in a manner tobe indexed by one digit in a minimum balance, comparator means, means toapply the required digit from the minimum balance selected by saidsorting apparatus and output by said means for continuously reading tosaid comparator, and means responsive to output from said comparatorindicative of an identity to enable subsequent output from said meansfor continually reading to be entered into said arithmetic system.

7. In a banking system as recited in claim 5 wherein said arithmeticsystem includes a shift register, an arithmetic circuit having a firstand a second input terminal, an output terminal, an add-instructionterminal and a subtract-instruction terminal, means coupling the outputterminal of said arithmetic circuit to said shift register input, meanscoupling the output of said shift register to said first input terminal,and said means responsive to identification of signals representing acharge symbol to instruct said arithmetic system to accumulate fixedcharges includes a fixed-charge-signal generator, means including aclosed-gate circuit coupling said charge-signal generator to said secondinput terminal, and means responsive to the identification of saidcharge symbol to open said gate circuit to permit a charge signal topass, to transfer the contents of said register to said arithmeticcircuit and to energize said arithmetic circuit add-instructionterminal.

8. In a banking system wherein there: is recorded on an elongatedstorage medium signals representing the account activity data of aplurality of depositors the recording for each account being delineatedby signals representing a begin-account symbol at the beginning and anend-account pulse at the end, the account activity including signalsrepresenting checks for which a charge is to be made each of which ispreceded by signals representing a charge symbol, signals representingitems for which a credit against service charges is to be given each ofwhich is preceded by signals representing a credit symbol, and signalsrepresenting periodic current balances each of which is preceded bysignals representing a current-balance symbol, a system for calculatingthe service charge to be made for each account which is to be based upona minimum fee plus a fixed charge per check, less a credit based on aminimum-balance value, said system comprising means for reading the datarepresentative signals from said elon ated storage medium, means foridentifying signals representing symbols which are read and forproviding an output identifying the symbol, sorting apparatus forobtaining the lowest value representative signals of those signalsapplied to its input, means responsive to identification of signalsrepresenting a current-balance symbol to enter the signals representingthe following current balance into said sorting apparatus wherebysignals representing the minimum current balance for the account isobtained, means responsive to the value of said minimum current balancebeing below a predetermined level to terminate service-chargecalculation for this account, an arithmetic system, means responsive toidentification of signals representing a charge symbol to instruct saidarithmetic system to provide sig nals representing an accumulation offixed charges, means responsive to identification of signalsrepresenting a credit symbol to instruct said arithmetic system tosubtract a credit charge represented by signals from the accumulatedcredit charges represented by signals, storage means for storing signalsrepresenting a table of data consisting of a different first and secondvalue associated with a different minimium balance, each said firstvalue being the product of the lowest number of checks for a minimumbalance for which a charge is to be made and said ing a first valuehaving been selected to instruct said arithmetic system to subtract saidfirst value representative signals from said signals representingaccumulated fixed charges, means responsive to the result of saidsubtraction providing signals representative of zero or negative valuesto terminate further service-charge calculation, and means to instructsaid arithmetic system to add said second value representative signalsto said subtraction result signals to thereby obtain signalsrepresenting the service charge for said account.

9. In a system wherein there is recorded on a storage medium for eachcustomer over a predetermined interval signals representative of theaccount activity including signals representing items handled, andsignals representing periodic current balance entries, a system forcalculating the service charge to be made for handling items for acustomer having less than a predetermined minimum balance, which chargeis to be based upon a minimum fee plus a fixed charge per item less acredit based on the minimum balance value, said system comprising meansfor selecting from said storage medium the signals representing theminimum balance occurring for a customer, means for determining Whetherthe minimum balance represented by said minimum balance value signalsexceeds a predetermined value and to provide a signal indicativethereof, means responsive to said signal indicating the minimum balanceexceeding a predetermined value to terminate further service-chargecalculation for said customer, means for identifying item signals forwhich a charge is to be made, means responsive to said means foridentifying item signals for establishing signals representing the valueof the product of the number of items identified by said means foridentifying and the fixed charge per item, and means responsive to saidminimum balance value signals and said signals representing the productof the number of items identified and the fixed charge per item forestablishing signals representative of said service charge for saidcustomer.

10. In a system wherein there is recorded on a storage medium for eachcustomer over a predetermined interval signals representative of theaccount activity including signals representing items handled, andsignals representing periodic current balance entries, a system forcalculating the service charge to be made for handling items for acustomer having less than a predetermined minimum balance, Which chargeis to be based upon a minimum fee plus a fixed charge per item less acredit based on the minimum balance value, said system comprising meansfor selecting from said storage medium the signals representing theminimum balance occurring for a customer, means for determining whetherthe minimum balance represented by said minimum balance value signalsexceeds a predetermined value and to provide a signal indicativethereof, means responsive to said signal indicating the minimum balanceexceeding a predetermined value to terminate further service-chargecalculation for said customer, means for identifying item signals forwhich a charge is to be made, means responsive to said means foridentifying item signals for establishing signals representing the valueof the product of the number of items identified by said means foridentifying number of checks for said minimum balance for whicha chargeis to be made and said fixed charge and second electrical signalsrepresentative of the sum of the product represented by said firstelectrical signals and said minimum fee less the credit for said minimumbalance value, means for subtracting said first signals from saidsignals representing the product of the number of items identified andthe fixed charge per item to provide diiference signals, and means foradding said second signals to said difference signals for obtainingsignals representing the service charge for said customer.

1.1. In a system as recited in claim 10 wherein said means responsive tosaid minimum balance value signalsfor generating first and secondelectrical signals includes. a storage means for storing signalsrepresenting a table of data comprising different first and secondsignals respectively associated with difierent minimum balance valuesignals, means for comparing for identity said different minimum balancevalue signals in said storage means with said electrical signalsrepresentative of said minimum balance, and means responsive to anidentity being determined by said comparing means for extractingaselectrical signals the first and second signals from said storageassociated with said minimum balance providing identity.

12. In a system wherein there is recorded on a storage medium for eachcustomer over a predetermined interval signals representative of theaccount activity including signals representing items handled, andsignals represent ing periodic current balance entries, a system forcalculating the service charge to be made for handling items for acustomer having less than a predetermined minimum balance, which chargeis to be based upon a minimum fee plus a fixed charge per item less acredit based on the minimum balance value, said system comprising meansfor selecting from said storage medium the signals representing theminimum balance occurring for a customer, means for identifying itemsignals for which a charge is to be made, means for generating a set ofsignals representing a fixed charge for an item, means for accumulatinga set of said signals representing fixed charges for each itemidentified by said means for identifying item signals to produceelectrical signals representative of the fixed charge sum, meansresponsive to said minimum balance value signals for generating firstelectrical signals representative of the product of the lowest number ofchecks for said minimum balance for which a charge is to be made andsaid fixed charge and second electrical signals representative of thesum of the product represented by said first electrical signals and saidminimum fee less the credit for said minimum balance value, means forsubtracting said first signals from said signals representing theproduct of the number of items identified and the fixed charge per itemto provide difference signals, and means for adding said second signalsto said difference signals for obtaining signals representing theservice charge for said customer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,005,807 Smith June 25, 1935 2,432,324 May Dec. 9, 1947 2,630,269 Joel'Mar. 3, 1953 2,907,524 Cali Oct. 6, 1959

